Brisbane Roar's keeper wins FIFA award

Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Nadine Angerer has received the highest personal accolade in the sport, winning the FIFA Ballon d'Or for World Player of the Year at the official awards ceremony in Zurich.

Angerer won the award for her list of achievements in 2013 which included captaining Germany to a UEFA European Championships victory - saving two penalties in the final - and subsequently being named the UEFA Best Women's Player in Europe.

"I have to say that I'm a little surprised, but very thankful," Angerer said.

"I have to thank everybody that voted for me and I just want to pay my respects to Marta and Abby who have had an incredible year too."

The FIFA Ballon d'Or is voted by national team coaches and captains and selected international media representatives.

The 35-year-old claimed the 2013 gong on 612 points ahead of last year's winner Abby Wambach of the US (539 points) and five-time victor Marta from Brazil (493 points).

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Angerer will return to Australia later in the week, ahead of Brisbane Roar's W-League away match against Sydney FC on Sunday and next week's double header with the club's Hyundai A-League team at Suncorp Stadium.

Matildas and Melbourne Victory striker Lisa De Vanna missed out on winning the Puskas Award for goal of the year.

De Vanna, who scored against Canberra United in Melbourne's 2-1 victory on Sunday, was the first Australian to ever be nominated for FIFA goal of the year.

She made the 10-goal shortlist with a stunning bicycle kick while playing for Sky Blue FC in the US National Women's Soccer League last year.

De Vanna was beaten out for the award by Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden, who scored with a bicycle kick from 40 yards out in a friendly against England.